Disclaimer: All canon characters, plots and situations from the Harry Potter series belong to JK Rowling. We make no profit from this story.
Beta Thanks:
Cosmoswithchaos
Ladyparongsny
rooOJoy
A/N: We had so much fun writing this chapter! Things will start to pick up from here on out with the girl's developing relationship :-)
She Keeps Me Warm
Chapter Three
"... It was all the same, all my pride and shame.
She put me on my feet…"
( She Is Love - Parachute )
The sound of classical music filled the spacious sleeping quarters. Hermione Granger squinted her eyes as the morning sun peeked through the window. She blindly reached out towards the nightstand in search of her wand.
She watched her mother and father twirl across the frame. She hummed along to the familiar tune; it was her mother's favorite. Hand closing around the vine wood, she swiftly waved it once over the photo of her parents.
"Silencio!"
She spent a week over the summer perfecting a charm that would work like a muggle alarm clock. She grinned smugly; she was the smartest witch of her age, so they say.
She lay flat on her back, last night's episode still reeling in her mind. She had replayed it over and over again, trying to make sense of it. She wasn't even completely concerned that Pansy had fled from the commons, but more curious as to why she couldn't get the event out of her mind.
Pansy's skin was so soft…
Hermione's hand had only rested against Pansy's forehead for a few seconds, but the feeling in the pit of her stomach lasted for hours afterwards.
Grlrlrlrl.
Hermione's stomach growled loudly. She uncovered herself from her duvet and slipped her feet into her owl slippers. She made her way to the wardrobe and picked out her clothes for the day. Hopefully she could slip out of the bedroom and into the common toilets before Malfoy woke up.
She changed out of her pajamas and into her jeans, t-shirt, and cozy, wool-lined boots.
Leaving her room, she tiptoed quietly to the restroom door. She slowly turned the knob and ducked inside.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?"
Hermione shrieked. Standing before her was
Draco Malfoy, hair dripping wet and a towel hanging loosely around his hips. She quickly covered her face with her hands, concealing her pink tinted cheeks as well as the half nude man before her.
Desperate to save face, she quickly apologized, but made no move to leave. Draco gave her one last searing look before changing his whole demeanor.
"Like what you see, eh Granger?" He smirked, wiggling his brows suggestively.
Her hands dropped to her side with a soft plunk. She gaped at him, mouth dropping open as realization hit. No… She didn't like it. What an odd thing for her to notice. Draco was fit; any other girl would kill to trade positions with her. She shook the thoughts from her head. Not bothering to acknowledge his question, she raised a brow, hands resting on her hips.
"Are you finished here or do you need more time to primp?"
A look she couldn't quite place crossed Draco's face before his features settled back into their usual mask of nonchalance. He exited the toilets in three long strides, leaving Hermione once again with nothing but her thoughts.
Well that was… strange. Pulling her wand from the pocket of her jeans, she summoned a small cosmetic bag from her room. Hermione Granger was a simple girl, and getting ready for the day was a breeze.
Applying a bit of Sleekeazy to her hair, she attempted to tame the mane of curls surrounding her face. Sighing in defeat, she grabbed a hairband and piled the waves on her head. After applying a thin coat of mascara and thoroughly brushing her teeth, she reached for her lip gloss...just in case she ran into Pansy.
Hermione instantly dropped the pink tube into the sink. Why was that the thought that passed through her mind? Why would she care if she saw Pansy? Regardless of that humming thought, she lightly coated her lips with gloss and retreated from the lavatory.
Hermione darted across the common room, nearly tripping over a fallen sofa pillow before making her escape. She really didn't want to run into Draco again as, her face had only just lost its shade of red from the pure embarrassment of their earlier encounter.
She was greeted outside her room by Ron. "Morning missus Head Girl!" He jokingly bowed before her. She rolled her eyes as they made their way down and across the shifting staircase.
"I'm starved. I need a full English breakfast right about now." She patted her empty, growling stomach.
They made their way into The Great Hall. Layers and layers of food adorned the tables, and she all but ran to her seat. She grabbed her plate and piled on toast, beans, sausage, scrambled eggs, and nicely roasted mushroom caps. As she was shoved her second spoonful of eggs into her mouth, she looked up from her plate.
Pansy.
Their eyes locked; as if by magnetic pull, they were drawn to one another. She managed to swallow her bite and offer a gentle, hopeful grin.
She must hate me. I nearly gave the poor girl a concussion last night. Maybe I should go check on her...make sure she's okay.
She wiped her mouth, and walked over to the table of Slytherins. A few started to hiss at her as she approached.
"C'mon, guys. Have a bit of respect for your Head Girl." Draco spat out those words, though the grin on his face showed he only half-meant it.
"Pansy, might I have a word?" Pansy nodded toward her slowly, but with a bit of eagerness.
Her eyes briefly connected with Draco's, who looked slightly irked that Hermione would dare interrupt their meal. The nerve, after the morning he's given me! She narrowed her eyes and turned to follow Pansy from the hall.
They walked in silence with only the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty halls. Letting her feet lead with no real destination in mind, she looked up and saw the Library ahead. Of course! Most of the students were still in The Great Hall mingling over breakfast; the Library would be virtually empty.
She smiled and grabbed Pansy's hand, pulling her toward the back where Hermione did her best studying. She felt Pansy stiffen slightly at her touch, but quickly relaxed under her grip.
Interesting. Maybe she doesn't like to be touched? Hermione thought back to last night. That is why they are here, after all.
She released Pansy's hand and gestured for her to take a seat. She brandished her wand and muttered a quick Muffliato!
oOoOoOo
Pansy watched as Hermione put up a silencing charm and took a seat beside her, scooting closer. Too close! After last night's fiasco, she feared she would make herself a complete fool once more.
Keep cool, she scolded herself. She doesn't know!
Hermione gave her a reassuring smile and began, "Look Pansy, about last night… If I did something wrong, I'd really like to apologize."
I knew it! She thinks I hate her, Pansy groaned internally. Great. Feeling slightly panicked, she opened her mouth to speak but couldn't make the words appear.
"No no no! You did nothing wrong. I just…" Pansy's words trickled into a thought ..I just what? Freaked out?
"Really, Hermione." Pansy gently placed a hand on top of hers. "I was just being dramatic. It's a Slytherin thing. We thrive on the intensity."
Smooth, Pansy..now she thinks you're a drama queen.
"I thought maybe I'd hurt you, or upset you. I mean...aside from the matching goose eggs we share." Hermione raised the hair hiding the purple and blue clustered knot.
Instinctively, Pansy reached out to touch Hermione's forehead. Her arm lifted towards her, and she hesitated. Then, Hermione did the strangest thing… she leaned her head forward, into Pansy's touch.
Pansy tried to maintain her composure. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
Pansy touched Hermione's forehead, the knot only slightly visible under the shades of blue. Her fingertips stroked against the spot, catching a single strand of Hermione's hair. Pansy slipped the lonely curl behind her ear.
Hermione tucked her head down.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean… I..." Pansy sputtered out her words, doing her best to sound sincerely apologetic for touching Hermione so affectionately, even though she wasn't sorry.
"No, shh…." Hermione grabbed Pansy's hand. "It's okay."
Pansy felt a gentle squeeze on her hand. She looked up and locked eyes with the girl she'd gushed over for the last three years. She felt herself leaning in to Hermione…
Pansy, stop. What are you doing?
Still, she continued, her chest rising and falling against the weight of what she was considering. As swiftly as the thought crossed her mind, Hermione leaned in the rest of the way and their lips brushed, moments from full connection.
"You ladies okay in here?" Draco peaked behind the bookshelf separating them from the rest of the library.
Pansy looked at him angrily, while Hermione pulled back - mortified. They both growled in their throats, "MALFOY!"
Draco retreated slowly, but with full intent to escape the wrath that he was about to face.
What an idiot.
oOoOoOo
Hermione sat there in a daze. She was having a hard time processing what just happened, and she needed to get out of there fast.
She stood. Her gaze shifted from Pansy, to the bookcase Malfoy just fled behind, and back to Pansy again. As her breath came in quick huffs, she mumbled, "My apologies, but I just remembered I forgot to brush my cat's fur this morning!"
Pansy gave her a puzzled gaze, and Hermione darted from the table before she could form a response.
W
Brush your cat? Really, Hermione?! She scolded herself for the lame excuse. In her defense, her brain felt like a giant puddle of mush, and thinking straight seemed nearly impossible.
Hermione Granger was not prepared for this. Whatever this was. She despised being the last bookcase before the library's exit, she crashed into a tall frame.
"What is with you two and running?" Draco spat, throwing a sneer in her direction.
She straightened herself and kept her feet moving forward, the sanctuary of the library exit just a few feet ahead. Just before she reached the door, his voice echoed loudly,
"You can't keep running, Granger!"
I'm not!...Am I?
The day was still young, so she made her way towards Gryffindor Tower in hopes of distraction in the form of Weasleys.
The Fat Lady grinned down at Hermione, a glass of wine sloshing as she waved drunkenly at the girl. "Password?" she slurred.
"Flaventia velent!" She chuckled under her breath, thinking Neville Longbottom would never remember that one!
The portrait swung open, and she stepped inside the common room she spent so many years calling home. She was greeted by the warmth of a burning fire and the sound of many Gryffindors enjoying their last day of freedom before school resumed. She spotted Ron and Ginny in the corner playing a game of Wizard's Chess. Ron, of course ,was annihilating her; everyone knew he was the king of the board.
She snuck up behind Ginny just as Ron's Knight leapt forth and beheaded her Queen.
BOO!
"Ahhhhh!" Ginny screamed, causing Hermione to double over with laughter. She felt lighter already, the morning's debacle slowly leaving her mind.
"The Head Girl deigns us with her presence," Ron winked. Hermione smacked him on the head before plopping onto the chair beside him.
"The sun is shining, and it's our last stress-free weekend before the Professors take over our lives - not that I'm complaining - we should go outside! What do you say?" Hermione wasn't beneath begging at this point.
"Count me in, 'Mione. I've had enough of this torture," scowled Ginny, eyeing Ron's chess board. She grabbed her wand and summoned two jackets, one for herself, and one for Hermione.
"I told Harry I'd meet him on the Pitch for a bit of training. I'll catch up with you both later," he waved and pecked Hermione's cheek.
Why does everyone want to kiss me?
A look of horror crossed her face, and she quickly smoothed her features before anyone noticed.
"You alright there, Hermione?" Ginny eyed her with mild concern.
"Just swell," Hermione forced a smile. She resolved to push any and all thoughts of Pansy Parkinson from her mind.
Easier said than done, she thought with a frown.
oOoOoOo
Draco forced a brave face and made his way back to the corner of the library. Pansy was sitting on the bench next to the table, her head in her hands.
"So, that was awkward…"
Pansy lifted her head, her eyes murdering Draco where he stood.
"Can you just leave me to die alone? Preferably free of your witty rhetoric," Pansy snapped at Draco. He took a seat next to her while she mumbled a sarcastic, "I guess not."
"What happened, Pans?" Draco hadn't seen anything. He'd only noticed the closeness of Pansy and Hermione when he approached.
"You mean before or after you ruined what could've been the best kiss of my life?" Pansy spat her words out, cold and incredulous.
Draco felt his shoulders sink, his heart resting in the pit of his stomach. "I… I'm sorry, Pans. I didn't know." He offered as sincere of an apology as he could muster. He put his hand against his chest, trying to calm the pain.
Pansy inhaled deeply, her small hands wiping at her face.
Was she crying? Should I console her?
He resigned his internal question, resting his hand on her back.
"We were so close. I felt like we were connecting… Like we were the only two people in the entire world." Pansy looked up at Draco, his hand sliding down toward the small of her back.
"I felt like she wanted to kiss me. Like she'd accepted this invitation I didn't realize I had sent." She wiped at her face again.
Draco sat there, stuck between feeling guilty for ruining their special moment and relieved for having stopped the kiss from happening. He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't certain his heart was ready for this… this step.
"I'm really sorry, Pans…" He felt defeated. He leaned down and kissed her gingerly on top of the head.
"It's okay, Draco. You couldn't have known it was going to happen. I surely didn't know."
Draco pulled Pansy into him; her head laid softly on his chest. He inhaled her scent. Sunflowers. That was how she smelled - like the first day of spring.
…And what's spring without a little rain?
"Should we go finish breakfast, now?" Draco blurted out, his stomach releasing a loud roar against Pansy's head.
She giggled, knowing breakfast was definitely over by now. She hugged him a little tighter before standing, taking his hand, and making their way out of the library.
As quickly as it fell, his heart rose back into his chest.
oOoOoOo
A/N: Flaventia velent is Latin for golden mane!
